1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)
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Chapter 1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- Verse 2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us- Verse 3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Verse 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Verse 5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. Verse 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; Verse 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Verse 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Verse 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Verse 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Chapter 2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Verse 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Devotion
On a tour deep inside Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, the Park Ranger shut off the lights. There was total darkness like I had never experienced before. I could not see my hand in front of my face. For our safety we were warned not to move lest we fall or wander from the group and become lost forever. Yes, left in the cave’s darkness, people have become lost and were never seen again. As terrifying as this prospect was, it is even more terrifying to think of being lost from God’s light. In the light of God, we “see” Jesus and his atoning sacrifice for our sins. The writer of 1 John tells us that Jesus shed his blood for the sins of the whole world. In this first week after Easter, we give thanks for the light of God that enables us to see Jesus, the one whose blood saves us to live with God forever.
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Prayer
God of light, protect us from the dark path of sin. Guide us all of our days and lead us in your path of light to always see Jesus, the Savior of the world. Amen.